UGA

By BJohnDawg

December 12, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Its great to be a Georgia Bulldawg!

Now all you dawg beaters can chime in.

By Bryan G

December 12, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t matter, but they should be top 5.

By Hootie Bookems

December 12, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

UGA should be Top 5. I think USC, FLA, UGA, and Oklahoma are virtually interchangable. LSU & Ohio St will be right there as well. UGA has an absolute beast of a schedule. More than likely will face 3 pre-season top 10 teams LSU, Zona St, & Fla. Not to mention Auburn, Tennessee, Bama and Tech.

By one

December 12, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

FIRST

By CJ2

December 12, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Georgia, could return 22 Hershel Walker’s and they would be ranked behind USC, Oklahoma and Ohio State because of the annual mediagasm that goes on between big media (including ESPN) and certain loved programs (USC, Michigan, OSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma).

By CJ2

December 12, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Georgia, could return 22 Hershel Walker’s and they would be ranked behind USC, Oklahoma and Ohio State because of the annual mediagasm that goes on between big media (including ESPN) and certain loved programs (USC, Michigan, OSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma).

By FLA DAWG

December 12, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Chip, You have already picked the Florida Gators to be No. 1 - so why ask us!?

By Hairy Dawg

December 12, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

We may be in the top three, but I’ll bet the house that Florida is the preseason #1. If we somehow end up being the preseason #1, we’re going to have a hard time staying there. Our schedule is absolutely brutal next year. We’ve got road games at South Carolina, Arizona State, LSU, Florida, Auburn, and Kentucky (the last four road games listed are in consecutive weeks) in 2008. If the Dawgs duplicate this year’s 10-2 regular season mark next season, I will be very happy.

By HedgeHead

December 12, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Bryan, of course it matters. LSU was ranked #2 (or was it #1?) preseason. Because of this, they have had THREE chances to play for the NC!

By ab

December 12, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Top 5 for sure, but I’m sure UGA will hear flack from that from the haters.

By wilbeezy

December 12, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Agree with BjohnDawg 1 or 2 UGA/USC(the real USC Southern Cal)

By Ben

December 12, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Not respected enough yet to be #1 preseason. That’s OK, though. We should be a top 3 team. The schedule is absolutely brutal next year. (LSU, Auburn, Arizona ST, Tennessee, Florida, etc) If we can make it through that with 1 loss….then we have earned a #1 spot.

By FLA DAWG

December 12, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

A few weeks ago The Dawgs were No.4 behind Ohio State at No.3. No.s 1 & 2 both lost while both Ohio State & UGA were idle. Ohio State went to No.1 and The Dawgs dropped.

HECK NO THE POLLS DON’T COUNT CHIP!

By Cuz

December 12, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

I think a big win in the Sugar will not mean squat to the love fest with USC, Oklahoma, Ohio State and the Urban Legend. That makes us five, six if LSU wins against O-ho State. Somewhere in the top ten, man I would hate to have the number one tombstone hanging around our necks. Come to think of it, when Les Miles-Saban-Petrino bolts for Michigan, we should be ranked over them.

By TruDawg

December 12, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Can we beat Hawaii first please?

By oasis

December 12, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Georgia should be strong again next year but so will Tennessee and Florida. I know Florida returns a bunch of players and Tennessee returns 16 of their first 22 and both kickers. Just a question, but what is the number of starters returning for the Dogs? Should be another exciting year in the SEC East. Georgia may have a hard time finishing higher than third in the East next year.

By JB

December 12, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Agree with CJ2, we will have to earn it on the field. In fact, we will not be picked to win the Eastern division. ESPN is in love with Urban and Tebow, and as the drive by media gives republican’s no breaks, you can rest assured the the NATIONAL PRESS and ESPN will place the DAWGS 7 or 8 th or so. YOU WATCH. Then by mid season, they will refer to us as ” THE SURPRISING GEORGIA BULLDOGS !With a solid running game noe, Matt will get better and better. D will be bigger, faster, as will the OL. I want SC, TENN. and FLA BAD NEXT YEAR .

By STephen- Dalton, GA

December 12, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Yes the dawgs should be ranked High. Lets be honest, USC, Oklahoma, and yes the gators will be right up there too. I think the program is headed in the right direction and is among the elite next year. Remember its a BRUTAL schedule just like FLA had last year, and give them credit they came through it. I think we can too.

This year…if we dont rank HAWAII as high cause of their schedule…why arent we doing the same to OSU….if not the dawgs playing this year, it shuld be Oklahoma, NOT the poison nuts (definition of a buckeye) for the NC

By Fort Worth Dawg

December 12, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

If all goes well — barring injuries, expulsions, and suspensions — UGA should play Florida for the national championship in Jacksonville. Loser will be out and winner will have the inside track. Having said that, our 2008 schedule is tough. The SEC will be its usual meat-grinder. After the crzines of this season I would not be surprised to see some good team get Auburned next year. I think UGA gets a Golden Ticket in 2008 for getting bumped back to 5th in 2007. Slive and the SEC better come out in strong support of UGA if we deserve it. Finally, our start in 2008 will also depend on the Sugar Bowl results and the upcoming recruiting results.

By NASCARfan

December 12, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Chip,

I honestly don’t believe we will be ranked in the top-5 although we should be. And the reason is the extreme bias against UGA at places like SI (in the form of Stew Mandel) and ESPN (Mark May, Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and the Senile Lisper are all Georgia-haters) which have far too much sway on how teams are ranked not only the preseason polls but in the polls as the year goes on.

Is there any other reason why, right now, many of those guys believe Florida is a better team than Georgia, although we beat Florida?

No, the Top-5 next year will look just like this:

1) USC

2) Florida

3) Ohio State

4) Oklahoma

5) Michigan… I’m just kidding, but really, I wouldn’t be surprised, but this will be LSU

Now, Chip, the top next year SHOULD look like this:

1) Oklahoma

2) USC

3) Georgia

4) LSU

5) Florida

But it won’t look like that. Georgia has too many biases to fight through. There are far too many people at ESPN and SI who have a vested interest in seeing USC and any teams from the Big-11 and Big-XII Conferences ranked high (like maybe because they have contracts with those conferences).

It’s sad, Chip, because if there were no preseason polls, and the polls begin in week 8 with the BCS poll, then Georgia would be playing for a Championship this year.

I don’t trust ESPN and SI to do the right thing, Chip, and that’s why Georgia won’t be ranked in the top-5, although the will more than deserve to be.

Come on, Georgia ranked ahead of Teblow and his Mighty Three Yard Touchdown Runs?

Are you kidding me? Never gonna happen, until we shut him down again next year.

By EmmettDawg

December 12, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

If (I’m tempted to say when) we beat Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, we will have the nations longest active winning streak in the country. Hopefully, this fact won’t be lost on the voters. Usually, this generates hype or at least notariety. I’d love to see us a pre-season #1, but let’s face it—that doesn’t mean nearly as much as where you are at the end of the year. I think a big win the Sugar Bowl will guarantee us a ranking that will place us in a position to get into the title game if we take care of business on the field, and that’s what counts. I hate ESPN’s (Disney Corp.) pandering to the big media markets and the ABC/ESPN contracts. I remember a time when GameDay actually was at the biggest game of the week, and the analysts weren’t afraid to call it like they see it. Bring back Trev Alberts!!!

By P

December 12, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

I would like a pony for Christmas please.

By TW

December 12, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

Much rides on LSU defeating Ohio State in the Championship - erasing any doubt as to who the top conference is.

Chip - would be much obliged if you could see that any UGA football assignments designated for Terrence Moore next year are instead rerouted to your desk.

By Tebow for Heisman - The Sequel

December 12, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

UF loses only 5 starters…that includes offense, defense and the kicker (there were only a total of 16 seniors on the team). Maybe they lose 2 more starters if J. Moss and C. Ingram leave for the NFL.

UF is very close to only having 1 loss (AU and LSU were close enough to go the other way) with mostly Soph and Freshman starters.

With that, assuming UGA and UF win their bowl games, you’d likely see UF and UGA 1 and 2. (probably in that order for no other reason than the Heisman winner comes back)

By reality check

December 12, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter where anybody is rated early in the season.

Georgia will be a load next year. We have one of the toughest schedules in the country, but one thing that should set us apart is depth. Man, we are developing it.

Florida is going to be good too and they have the off wek before us next year. if anybody doubts tyhat isn’t big they just aren’t paying attention.

I predict LSU will be the National Champion and Georgia number 2 THIS YEAR after everything plays out.

By Atlanta Gator

December 12, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

It’s going to be an interesting set of preseason polls next year. Assuming both Florida and Georgia win their respective bowl games, I expect that both Gators and Dawgs will be ranked in the top 5. No bets on the order——there are too many other teams who are going to be evenly matched and rated early next year.

LSU could also be a top-5 wild card, depending on the outcome of the BCS title game and their coaching situation. I don’t foresee any other SEC teams in the preseason top-10, but Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee are all likely to be in the preseason top-25 (in no particular order). Arkansas may be in top-25, too, if either of their two starting running backs returns (doubtful).

Unless the Dawgs are caught napping by Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, I expect UGA to get a lot of love in the 2008 preseason polls. Get used to it, Dawg fans. Your boys are about to become ESPN media darlings. LOL

By JM

December 12, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

For whatever reason, Georgia is often ignored by the media. I’m certain Florida, USC and Oklahoma will be ranked ahead of us, at least.

By Ronnie

December 12, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

Hello, anybody watch football this year. Preseason only matters if you win. Starting high certainly helps but guarantees nothing, unless you’re LSU and can bounce all around from week to week.

By Bob

December 12, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Reality Check,

Florida is not off next year before our game with them. They play UK the week before again like they did this year. Of course we are in Baton Rouge the week before. I do think they start having the week off after next year.

If we win the Sugar Bowl handily, I think we will be in the top 6. Gators get a boost because of their recent National Championship and the returning Heisman winner. Ohio State will be up there if they beat LSU. However, if they get rolled again this season, then I think they will suffer in next year’s preseason poll.

By cooter11

December 12, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

“T” may not be “hurt” next year when you guys play…you lucky dogs you! LOL

ps…did you already beat that 12/0 team?

By mcdawg

December 12, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

top 10 is fine-i hope we are not #1 or #2 for that matter-but i think our D is going to be nasty and loving that O-Line-its going to be tough-UF shpuld be loaded-Auburn is going to be tough UT seems to have come back along with LSU and don’t forget we are on the road at ASU-looking forward to tempe

By thad

December 12, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

LSU???????they are losing a lot…they shouldnt even be ranked in the top 10 next year…

By godawg

December 12, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

Beat Hawaii first amd foremost.

In the top ten would be expected, probably around six or seven about right and ideal to maybe be in a position to play for the MNC.

Too high and we end up with a target on our backs and too low is too far to move up into position at the end of the season.

Rank FL and LSU ahead of us then we just need to take care of bidness. WOOF!

By Rod

December 12, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Georgia can still finish #1 in the AP poll this year. UGA is #4 right now if they whoop Hawaii and LSU and beats Ohio ST in game where they both try to lose. You could have a split national champ both from the SEC. LSU BCS Champ, UGA AP Champ. Screw the BCS because they should be making the matchups in all the BCS Bowls and not the Bowls making the picks.

By The Ole Ball Coach

December 12, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

UGA ranked ahead of Notre Dame, USC, OSU, Florida, LSU, Michigan, and Oklahoma, no way, never, ESPN want have it…………… Ask Mark, Lou, Kirk, Chris and Lee Corso .. if its ok…… I’m just saying….

By Atlanta Gator

December 12, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

Bob & Reality Check——The Gators’ October schedule for 2008 is the following:

10/04/08 Arkansas (Fayetteville)

10/11/08 LSU (Gainesville)

10/18/08 bye

10/25/08 Kentucky (Gainesville)

11/01/08 Georgia (Jacksonville)

No pre-Florida-Georgia bye week.

By EmmettDawg

December 12, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

It’s not the number of starters returning. It’s who they are and the relative importance of the positions they play.

Question for Florida fans: You clearly don’t have a running back (other than Tebow), so how can you be excited about the number of starters (who lost three games) that will be returning next year?

When the preview magazines come out next year, I don’t see them having many areas of our team to place genuine question marks on. O-line, check. QB and backfield, check. etc. Florida fans point out that their young team could have beaten Auburn, when Georgia’s young team thumped them—not to mention the Cocktail party, itself. Get used to the fact that you are no longer the best program in the East.

By RamblinLonghorn

December 12, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Oklahoma or USC will be #1 next year. OU lost 2 games it should have won handily, primarily because of inexperience (Bradford is young, and looks dumb, but has one heck of an arm). USC is a Booty injury (HA!) away from going undefeated and making all this BCS nonsense moot. They’ll be awesome next year. UGA, I see as a Top 10, possibly top 5 team depending on how the draft goes.

By N Dawg

December 12, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Anywhere in the top 10 is fine. Their record will move them up from whatever the pre-season ranking is.

Even though the Big 10 probably won’t win a single Bowl game, OSU will most likely be in the top 5. Although OSU, Michigan, and Illinois will totally embarrass their conference in their respective Bowls this year, you can bet OSU will be in the top 5 pre-season and the other 2 will be somewhere in the top 20. USC will probably be #1 as they will beat Ill. by at least 21 points in their Bowl game and the media will go wild.

By My thoughts

December 12, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Georgia returns 17 starters from a team that kicked the living crap out of Florida. How Florida would be ranked ahead of us is a mystery, but they likely will be simply because they are Florida. Fortunately we play them so it can be settled on the field. Hopefully Tebow won’t have any boo boos so there are no excuses. Although I’m not sure what Tebow had to do with the 42 points Georgia dropped on their hyped up overrated a**es, but I digress.

LSU? Don’t they lose alot next year? I don’t see all the hub bub about Periloux and the defense, which was average the second half of the season, loses some big names. I could be wrong but I see a fairly substantial drop off for LSU next year.

Oklahoma and Ohio State are also very young and will be ranked ahead of Georgia because they are Oklahoma and Ohio State and no other reason.

We’ll probably be 4 or 5 or so, which is perfectly fine. Losing to Hawaii would probably bump us back to 8-10, which is also fine. We’ll have a shot.

I for once am not nervous about the lofty expectations. I think our current team has the cajones to embrace them.

In the meantime, how about some blogs on Hawaii Chip?

By shane #1

December 12, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

it’s acording to how the bowls shake out.if we beat a 12-0 team and with all but six of our starters returning,plus the # 2 recruiting class i see us as a top five team.lsu is losing 25 seniors and possibly a coach,osu should be soundly beaten by lsu,the gators will have their hands full with michigan,usc will probably win and move ahead of us.i can see us easily being # 5 with usc,ok,and possibly florida and lsu being ahead of us.i don’t see ohio state as a top five team if the get beaten as badly by lsu as they were whipped by the gators.we could move as high as 2 or 3 if the polls are kind,but i am not holding my breath waiting for props from the media!if we are pre-season # 5 or less we have a great shot at the nc.now lets beat the warriors! GO DAWGS!!!

By EmmettDawg

December 12, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Rod, I think you are dreaming.

We didn’t move up at all in the AP poll last time, in addition to the coaches’ and Harris polls. In my opinion, we can get as high as #3 in the AP poll with a strong showing in the Sugar Bowl.

By touchmeok

December 12, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t think so. Warriors will beat the Dogs badly on New Year Day.

By me

December 12, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Let’s go Dogs….

By Atlanta Gator

December 12, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Emmett Dawg——Current events update for you regarding the Gators’ 2008 backfield. During the 2007 off-season, former Southern Cal tailback Emmanuel Moody transferred to Florida, and sat out the 2007 season as the NCAA transfer rules require. He was the 9-ranked running back in the country in the 2006 recruiting class. Knowledgeable Gators expect Tebow to throw more, have fewer carries, but increase his yards per carry with a potential 1,000-yard tailback in the same backfield. WR Percy Harvin will still get some carries, too, but should be on the receiving end of more Tebow passes further down the field.

By My View

December 12, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

I say we are preseason #5. Before the season ended I thought we would be 6th to start ‘08. But after West Virginia choked, the voters will realize that they are benefiting from a weak schedule like the fans already have. I think the polls will read 1. Florida, 2. Oklahoma, 3.USC, 4. Ohio St, 5. Georgia.

If by some chance we run the table, even if there are 4 undefeated teams, we should end at #1 given the schedule we have to navigate next season.

By Villa Rica DAWG

December 12, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

He11, we’re number 1 this year and didn’t even get invited to the National Chamionship after being placed at #4 and watch #1 & #2 fall. Why would anyone think that we will get anymore respect next year?

I say we just go out and run the table. To he11 with the BCS!!

GO DAWGS!

By Dawgbyte

December 12, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

If they put the whippin’ on Hawaii, that they should, they will be ranked in the top five. As we know, however, where you are ranked at the first of the season doesn’t mean squat. But, if you are ranked high and take care of business, you can hold what you got and move up. Right now, it’s take care of the business at hand—put that whippin’ on Hawaii.

By george

December 12, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

THE MOST COMICAL THING I HAVE HEARD SINCE THE ARTICLE THAT SAID UGA GOT SCREWED WORSE THIS YEAR THAN AUBURN DID IN 04!!!!!!!!! UGA will lose Jan 1 so it will not even matter and they will be ranked about 12 which is where they deserve to be. The dawgs will underachieve again next year and lose AT LEAST 3 games.

By Dawg Fan

December 12, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

I remain totally disgusted with the Media in particular and the BCS in general. We are being bashed in all the media for even thinking that we should have a shot at the NC when it was the polls and the media who gave us a reason to believe it in the first place. People are so influenced by the national media and can no longer have an original thought for themselves.

Don’t even talk with me about the polls now or next year. It is all so political and that was what was most fun about college football; that it allowed you a little escape from politics, etc. for a brief period.

Either have a playoff system OR set some ironclad rules. Allow non conference winners in or don’t but make it definite: don’t wait to see if we are talking about this team or that one. Do late losses mean anything or not? I was always told a last game defeat to an unranked team was a death knell. (Not only is the best SEC team not in the NC game, but the 2nd best one isn’t either!) At least go to a +1 format. Have set rules for teams to go to bowls or allow complete chaos. (Ill in Rose is pathetic just to satisfy some old guys).

Go Dawgs but as T Moore says: we are losers if we don’t win by a huge margin; but he also said that the BCS did us a favor. Go figure!

Selah.

By 1eyedJack

December 12, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

Don’t really matter, #1 or #5. What matters is what you are ranked when the final BCS ranking comes out. That’s when I want to be #1 or #2.

By Villa Rica DAWG

December 12, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

One more thing…

I know that I am going to catch he11 for this. I haven’t really openly admitted it yet…

When someone asks me what I think about Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl this year, they say stuff like, “You better not underestimate them.” I am like, “They are the only undefeated team in the country. It will be a good game. The Dawgs better bring their A game.”

The Truth: I am utterly disappointed in this ridiculous excuse for a bowl game. We are going to blow the pants off of this poor excuse for a team in a, let’s just say, less than exciting bowl game.

We were looking forward to the Rose Bowl or the National Championship against a GOOD team for crying out loud!!!! We got STUCK with freaking Hawaii!!!!!

By Chip Towers

December 12, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Hey, this just in: Carter’s story is being held until next week (I think this Petrino junk is eating up all our space). Anyway, so you know, Carter talked to about 11 AP voters and none of them had Georgia one or two except for Savannah’s Adam Von Brimmer, who had them No. 2. More people had Oklahoma and Florida was consistently ranked ahead of Georgia… . Again, none of this stuff matters but it IS interesting to see where the national perception is at… .

Like Shane, I do think the outcome of the bowls will have some effect. If Georgia waxes Hawaii it may carryover to the preseason rankings next season. Same goes for if they lose or struggle… .

FLADAWG, for the last time I did not pick Florida preseason No. 1. The only thing I said is don’t be surprised if the Gators are ranked No. 1 or ahead of the Dogs in the preseason polls. At the moment their star is higher on the national horizon. But, again, doesn’t matter because you play them. So just beat them again like you did this past season. No big whoop, right?

By Chip Towers

December 12, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Hey, this just in: Carter’s story is being held until next week (I think this Petrino junk is eating up all our space). Anyway, so you know, Carter talked to about 11 AP voters and none of them had Georgia one or two except for Savannah’s Adam Von Brimmer, who had them No. 2. More people had Oklahoma and Florida was consistently ranked ahead of Georgia… . Again, none of this stuff matters but it IS interesting to see where the national perception is at… .

Like Shane, I do think the outcome of the bowls will have some effect. If Georgia waxes Hawaii it may carryover to the preseason rankings next season. Same goes for if they lose or struggle… .

FLADAWG, for the last time I did not pick Florida preseason No. 1. The only thing I said is don’t be surprised if the Gators are ranked No. 1 or ahead of the Dogs in the preseason polls. At the moment their star is higher on the national horizon. But, again, doesn’t matter because you play them. So just beat them again like you did this past season. No big whoop, right?

By Dawgbyte

December 12, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

Dear Gorge,

If I ever have an actual “conversation” with you I’ll wear sound-attenuators since you apparently shout half of what you say. And at least half of it isn’t worth listening to.

By Fort Worth Dawg

December 12, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

I guess everyone else is going through college football withdrawal like myself. Two more hits off of bowl season and recruiting and then it’s a bad case of the shakes until the 2008 season. At some point we will need a 2008 SEC/SEC East predictions blog for a fix.

Atlanta Gator — What are Florida fans’ feelings on Percy Harvin? He is an incredible athlete and every team in America, if honest, would admit to wanting to have him. It seemed like he missed more games than I expected, but as I recall they were games where no one expected him to be needed. I also seem to recall that his absences were not for injuries but for illnesses and the like. I guess what I’m asking is if there is any suggestion that Percy might have slipped a little towards the end of the year.

For Tennessee fans — every time I saw Eric Berry on TV he looked incredible. I am surprised that UT did not lose Cutcliffe but I guess Duke is still a possibility (I have to think that he believes he can do better). New QB in 2008 right?

Any thoughts on who will be turning pro and how that will affect 2008? I think Arkansas will see some significant player departures.

By Ricky

December 12, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Top five is possible, but number one; with that schedule and 3 Sophs. and 2 freshmen on the o-line. Not likely.

By lucky

December 12, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

The Yankee sports writers will do everything in thier power to kee from picking a Southern team #1!

By BILL HARRY

December 12, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Dont forget BC. If the Qb returns that will be 22 returning starters. Georgia will be swept away by their schedule. Sorry

By Dorsey Hill

December 12, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

There are 6 programs which seem to have seperated themselves from the pack:

UF LSU UGA USC OK OSU

Those are your top six for next year. You could throw the names in the air and order them and you could argue that its right. I’d bet if you ask an oddsmaker none of these teams would be favored by more than 2 pts. over any other on a neutral site.

It doesn’t matter where we start b/c with games at LSU and vs. UF, along with what is a monster of a schedule otherwise, being number 1 at the end is completely under our control.

This year I speculated that we could back into a NC game and we almost did. With next year in mind, the schedule is too tough to predict anything, but I assure you that anyone who plays the Dogs in ‘08 better be ready to play some ball.

With guys like Rennie and Knowshon, the energy level is going to be fantastic the next 3 years. I can’t wait to watch it.

It will be intersting to see with respect to LSU whether Perriloux’s character will be an issue and I also wonder if UF is going to be hurt be 1) relying too much on Tebow and 2) their defense practicing against a finesse offense. I don’t like the chances of a team whose players look around for the star to do something special or a team that has a defense that isn’t used to getting punched in the mouth. Anyway, I really like our chances if we stay healthy.

It took 25 years but we’ve finally got ourselves a dangerous damn football team again. Its nice to know we can line up anywhere, anytime and we expect to win. Its a wonderful feeling and I think we can go on one of those FSU 15 straight years in the Top 5 runs beginning now.

I do hope CMR adopts my proposed “beat UF and you can where black” at the next home game (AU or Tech) policy.

By Todd

December 12, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Does not matter at the beginning of the season. All that matters is that you handle your buisness for the first 12 games. And the rest is history. Polls early in the year do not mean a thing..Coach Richt and the Dawgs will take care of what needs to be done. I think we learned a lesson this year control what you can control..That means go out every week and compete. Even with 1 or 2 losses and you lose in a tight SEC game you should be there…..GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!

By Dark Corner Dawg

December 12, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Heck, It wouldn’t bother me if the Dawgs were not in the top 10 anyway. To end up in the NC game, we would have to win the SEC and also have only one loss or none. I would rather see the Dawgs ranked 10 or 11 then work their way up. Lets face it … the Tenn. debacle killed our chances this past year because the dawgs were simply not prepared for that game. Its interesting that the poll is almost 50/50 about Hawaii being a formidable opponent. The Dawgs will HAVE to bring their A game to beat Hawaii. A lot of folks have bashed Hawaii because of their schedule but if look at the teams that they have beaten, a good number of them were beaten pretty soundly. I hope the Dawgs will win big because this will thrust them into next year with a lot of momentum. The Dawgs are having a heck of a recruiting year and that is exiciting as well. Just hope the Dawgs can remain focused and continue winning ,if they do that, then I dont see how they can be ignored by the national and ESPN sport pundits!

By Pago Pago

December 12, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

Don’t overlook the Rainbows!

By ATLDawg

December 12, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

We should NOT be #1. The rankings SHOULD fall like this:

1. Florida (i hate to say it, but it’s true)
2. Oklahoma
3. DAWGS
4. USC
5. Illinois (i hate Ohio St, and if Mendenhall comes back, they SHOULD win the Small 11)

LSU should be around 10-12. They lose way too much on Defense.

By Jason

December 12, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

I have never heard anything so comical as all you dolts that say UGA does not get enough respect. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????????? UGA is continually one of the most overrated teams in the country year in and year out. p.s 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980 1980.

p.p.s almost half the teams in the SEC 4 (5 if you include Auburn which you should) have won a national championhsip prior to the pups last. GET A CLUE DAWG NATION

By nelson

December 12, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

What difference does it make. Let them be number one…. The pups will have two losses by the end of SEP anyway. Next year the PATHETIC dawg nation will be whining and moaning about not getting into the national championship game with 3 losses. Why dont all you idiots help out the environment and go shed your tears over lake lanier to help fill up the lake.

By Dark Corner Dawg

December 12, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Looks like Jason and Nelson are still in disbelief about the 7 in a row! GO DAWGS!!!!!

By Ole Dawg

December 12, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

Leave it to me to be pessimistic. I can’t help it, guess I listened to Dooley and Munson to long. Actually the taste of the beginning of the last TWO seasons still linger and I still question the Coaching as to why we were so flat. Hopefully that’s a thing of the past. I’m surprised at the number of people who don’t understand why the Dawgs don’t yet have solid National respect. It’s called inconsistency!

UGA has given us a lot to get excited about this year, how we finished after the terrible start this year (a flashback to the 2006 season), the talent finally playing like they’re capable of, and the revival of that most powerful thing called Chemistry. The Team and Coaches learned to have fun playing the game. The Dawgs truly can’t expect to get national respect when we lose pathetic games to pathetic teams we should beat, USC and Tenn.

That said, if we take care of business in the Sugar Bowl, we start next year in the top 5, probably number 4 or 5. Everyone knows how tough our schedule is, we probably won’t win them all, but it’s important to win most of them, maybe one, possibly two losses, but they should be close, (triple overtime wink, wink), no more debacles like Tennessee, I still gag when I think how bad we looked that game. We found out the hard way that if you don’t show up one week, the carpetbaggers hold it against you.

We didn’t deserve to play for the National Title. Problem is that no one else did either.

Hawaii isn’t a pushover and we should take them seriously but in reality they shouldn’t be on the same field with us. Hope we’re running on all cylinders and kick their a$$. It’s been a great year, enjoyed reading most of your blogs.

By Exley DAWG

December 12, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

I agree with previous posts that UGA will be ranked behind FL, USC, and LSU due to national media lacking respect for us (ESPN.) We’ll prove it on the field.

By Ole Dawg

December 12, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

Nelson, your humor kills me. I have a better idea, since the human body is over 70 percent water why not donate your pathetic existence to Lake Lanier so we don’t have to be bothered by your stupid comments any longer. Can I have a second on that?

By Dark Corner Dawg

December 12, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

2nd and 3rd!!!!!!!

By Willie M.

December 12, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

Dear Brian V …. Now that Booby went to Razor PIG U… Will you come back home and help me me make my Defense better? Im sure CMR will take you back so we can beat Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl!

By Twilb Dawg

December 12, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

All that matters is where we are ranked come December…and January!

Should be a fun year! Tough schedule, but we will have a great team! I cannot wait to see how it all shakes out.

GO DAWGS!!

By SamoanDawg

December 12, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

Dawgs will beat the Warriors. Close game in the first half, but we’ll pull it out late.

Preseason:

1. Gators

2. Sooners

3. Tigers… LSU

4. Dawgs

5. Trojans

6. Hokies

7. Buckeyes

8. Long Horns

9. Eagles.. BC

10. War Eagles

Mele Le Kalikimaka!

Go Dawgs!

By Randall

December 12, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

The doGs should be but won’t. The hatred of all things South will guarantee that. Some one tell me what Lou Holtz has got against UGA.

By S.E. Dawg

December 12, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

I agree with lucky about the northern sports writers.

Also if we start preseason at # 10 that means someone ahead of us has to lose. I’d rather not take that chance.

By cooter11

December 12, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

ol VillaR is for sure a dog. 100%. Two non wins and still number 1 LOL

By DawgGrad

December 12, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Why does ESPN not favor the Dawgs… hmmm… let’s think about that for a minute. Could it be that UGA beat Holtz like a drum while he was at South Carolina? Or could it simply be that a single Outback Bowl trouncing of Herbstreit bent his ego back a little? UGA won’t be voted #1 in the country - this isn’t 1980 anymore and the dweebs on ESPN call the shots of most of the small-minded, crowd following Sports writers in the northeast and West Coast. Oh, they’ll vote UF in as #1 in a heartbeat - but that’s because the Television viewing audience of the state of Florida is only rivaled by that of Southern California. ESPN ain’t stupid - biased - but not stupid. I would rather see UGA right where they are and watch the strength of schedule allow us to climb up the BCS computer polls due to the weak-a$$ schedules of the Sooners, the BuckEyes and the mighty Trojans. If you can bypass UGA’s schedule next year for one of those weakling schedules - then you’ve got some serious bias issues that will be obvious to the rest of the country.

Heck… UF will be on top just for the love of jorts and the SuperQB media flurry!

That darn internet… it’s just messed everything up!

GO DAWGS!!!

By uga95

December 12, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Just curious….does anyone know what UGA was ranked starting the 1980 national championship season? I was only 9 yrs old, so I have no idea. But it might be somewhat relevant to this topic.

By boots

December 12, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Still too early to have a meaningful discussion on this, but what the heck? Let’s do it anyway… Assuming OK, FL and LSU wins and the Dawgs prevail by at least 14 over Hawaii, I think the top 5 will be: OK, FL, USC, GA, and LSU.

I think there will be an interesting reaction to see how the pollsters look at UGA. Do they penalize us for rightfully making our case about this years NC game? Or do they repay us for screwing us and give us some cred for a great year with young players? FL will be ahead of us because of the Teebow love-fest and because of their history over the past few years. Still, we will have a great year ahead of us IF the team stays focused and doesn’t believe the hype. It will be a new year and we will have to prove it all over again.

By boots

December 12, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

uga95,

At the beginning of the 1980 season, it was OH State #1 and Alabama ranked #2. Bama ended up with 2 losses that year (TN and Auburn both were 5-6. Georgia was ranked #9 to start the year.

By 1UGADAWG

December 12, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Who cares? If we win all games, there will be no doubt who is #1. No one in the country will have a tougher schedule than the Dawgs! I am more concerned about staying healthy and in shape for brutal season.

By AltamahaDawg

December 12, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

uga95, based on how 1979 finished, I’m guessing not to high.

By TrippfromNahunta

December 12, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

We will have a top 5 ranking at the beginning of next year. It will hard for us to be ranked #1 with the schedule that we have to play. Why do we go play Arizona State? Ohio State plays NOBODY out of conference and it has helped them. Our conference schedule is toughest in the land.

By AltamahaDawg

December 12, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

tebow 4 heisman, mostly underclassman starter this year????? If you forget the most important unit on the team, the o-line, anchored by your 2 seniors and RS juniors I guess.

By gamelover

December 12, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Dogs will get respect from the polls nor the ESPN moguel idiots. Top 10 maybe 7 or 8. Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio state, will somehow finf their way into the top 10. Its politics, Urban, Les, Spurrier, all politicians, we will have to work our way to the top. If by chance we were in the NC game this year and finished the season undefeated, we STILL would not be ranked first next year, everyone should know that.

By Bob

December 12, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Tripp, I can’t stand Ohio State, but they play USC next year in LA. Also, they played Texas last year in Austin. Their other non-conference games are pretty lame, but they usually play at least one good team. Washington just happened to be pretty awful this year.

In 09 we play at Oklahoma State, at Ga Tech and home to Arizona State in addition to LSU, Arkansas, Auburn Florida and Tennessee. That is almost as scary as next year.

By RanDawg

December 12, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

—Please remember this season is NOT over yet!!…Remember W.Va. in Sugar Bowl??…Let’s not get ahead of ourselves and forget that we have to WIN this game first.. All this talk about where we will be placed in pre-season for next year won’t mean anything if we don’t win this next game!!! SLOW DOWN!!!..Think about the game at hand!!

By billinatl

December 12, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

For the ATL Gator about Moody, he may be ok, but there are 2 problems with your assessment.

First of all, Moody transferred out of USC because apparently he was not GOOD ENOUGH to get on the field as much as would have liked.

Second, the SYSTEM at UF sucks for Tailbacks and will continue to suck unless they get someone like Herschel, Bo, Barry (not Moody) and they scrap the system in order to use the tailback as the feature of the offense. Not gonna happen any time soon.

UF will probably start #1 for the love of Tebow. But there are enough flaws at UF that really they aren’t my biggest concern, especially since the Dawgs can dispath of them personally. I do have a BIG concern that USC and OU might run the table and make everyone else a bystander for the MNC next year as they will start the year ahead of the Dawgs and just about everyone except UF.

It would be really hard to imagine UGA jumping either of those no matter what our schedule is like.

By Odom(DawgFan)

December 12, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

As an avid fan, this is not a healthy topic for the fan-base given the formidable task of preparing for the best passing game in college football. The attitude of the team, the fans and the media are linked (although sometimes in unexpected ways) and the influence of articles like this (and I understand they are inevitable) should not be underestimated. Lets not overlook a a talented team. Especially given the way we’ve open the first half of the last two bowl games. Lets beat Hawaii first and see what happens. Stay focused Dawgs fans!

By Odom(DawgFan)

December 12, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

As an avid fan, this is not a healthy topic for the fan-base given the formidable task of preparing for the best passing game in college football. The attitude of the team, the fans and the media are linked (although sometimes in unexpected ways) and the influence of articles like this (and I understand they are inevitable) should not be underestimated. Lets not overlook a a talented team. Especially given the way we’ve open the first half of the last two bowl games. Lets beat Hawaii first and see what happens. Stay focused Dawgs fans!

By blake

December 12, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Ga could win by 30 or a field goal and it will not affect the outcome of next years poll. The Dawgs simply get zero respect. I hate to beat a dead horse, but our bowl game is a lose lose situation in terms of this and next years polls. What matters is how this team performs next year. GO DAWGS

By Bob

December 12, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Jason,

Not sure where you get this overrated crap. Since Richt arrived at UGA his teams have finished higher than their pre-season ranking in every year except 04 and 06. In 04 we were preseason #3 and finished #7. In 06 we were preseason #16 and finished #23. Since 2001 we have been projected to finish in the Top Ten twice. We have already finished in the Top Ten 4 times out of 6 and if we win on January 1, it will be 5 out of 7.

Since Richt arrived in 2001 until last year, the following SEC teams finished in the Top Ten: LSU (4); Georgia (4); Auburn (2); Florida (2); Bama (1); Tennessee (1)

That does not count LSU #2; UGA #4 and UF #9 this year.

That hardly points to UGA being always overrated does it?

But RanDawg is right…we had better be focused on Hawaii right now and not worry about next year’s pre-season ranking.

By ARdawg

December 12, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Count me with the who the hell cares group. Take a look at the 07 preseason rankings. They meant exactly dic. These were the rankings that had the usual suspects, Michigan, USC, Notre Dame, Louisville, Texas ect. The Dawgs could hang 100 on Hawaii and come pre season polling nobody remembers but the Dawg nation. It doesn’t matter what position the Dawgs have as long as it is striking distance and we take care of bidnezz. Georgia has the meat grinder schedule and should still come out of it in good shape. A top five ranking puts the Bullseye on them. The 08 Dawgs are shaping up to be as good as any dawgs I’ve seen in my 40 plus years as a Dawg. In my mind nobody “deserves” a top 25 ranking in preseason. In fact why rank any team at all for the first 3-4 weeks?

By Jay

December 12, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

It sounds a little ridiculous to complain about bias and haters in the media when you’ve won two conference championships in the last 25 years. Win your games next year and you’ll finish at the top. Don’t complain before then.

By TheItalianDawg

December 12, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Georgia will be top 5. however, as many of you have mentioned we will have a brutal, I mean truly brutal schedule, maybe #1 strength of schedule. I really don’t mind the schedule, the only thing I’m worried about is the Florida game, I hope Georgia will have a bye week before playing Florida, and Florida wont. I really cant understand why cant Georgia schedule an open week before playing Florida?

By bigDAWG

December 12, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Let me remind you all that this season is not officially over, so we had better focus on Hawaii. So even if you look at the sUGAr bowl as game #1 for next season, we had better win or this number 1, next season ranking discussion is mute.

By bh

December 12, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

UGA should probably be top 3 but wont. Will look like this: 1) Oklahoma 2) Florida 3) USC 4) LSU 5) Ohio St. 6) UGA

By SATXdawg

December 12, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Who cares!!! Preseason polls don’t mean crap. DAWGS just need to care of business.

By Mike

December 12, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Top five anyway. The rest doesn’t matter. The higher you are ranked, the more visible the school is (read recruiting), and the shorter the distance you have to go to get to the top. Recruit and win - that’s all it takes.

By BCS Slave

December 12, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Georgia will be lucky to be ranked in the top 10.

By Dr Morpheus

December 13, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Maybe I’m confused (wouldn’t be a first) but I don’t see how the bowl results have any relevance to next year’s preseason poll rankings. The quality of returning players would seem to be the most important factor, followed by difficulty of schedule. However, difficulty of schedule is more pertinent to rankings later in the season. The purpose of preseason rankings is to vote on the best teams, regardless of sos, right? Or are the seers trying to pick who’s going to be number 1 at the end of the upcoming season? Hmm. In any case, if you look at quality of returning players, UGA has a good case for being #1 (check the draft rating sites, for example). Florida, by comparison, does not have the number of quality returning players at a wide range of positions as do the Dawgs. And that’s before considering the Soulja Boy Funky Dance factor, the Surprise Black Jersey Fear factor, or the Darth Richt Psychological Surprise Attack factor. Despite the drama of the Return of the Heisman Boy Wonder and Coach Urban “Batman” Meyer, in the weeks leading up to the former Monster Cocktail Party, the UF players and coaching staff will be awakening with flashbacks of Trintan Sturdivant’s award winning dance move and MoMass doing the Gator Chomp in the endzone.

By shewdawg

December 13, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

A lot of good points made here. Bottom line is: It doesn’t matter where you start, but how you finish. I’d love to see the Dawgs start #5 or higher and let the chips fall where they may. One game ata time Dawgs. ONE ATA TIME.

By shane #1

December 13, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this

damn doc,you write well.you assume too much however.bowl games shouldn’t figure into pre-season ratings,but they do!that is unless you are so-cal or osu,in that case they don’t matter.osu could lose by 30 to lsu and still be in the top five.so-cal could lose to that patsy in the rose bowl and be there.uga,on the other hand could beat uh by 30 and stil not be there.are you begining to understand?the polls are a beauty contest and a team’s real talent does not matter.let me put it this way,if notre dame beats their first two opponents they will be top five,no matter what their pre-season ratings.uga can win their first two games and their rating will remain the same!the only way for uga to even be considered nc material is to win the seccg and lose no more han one game.the only way to be assured a slot in the nc game is to be 13-0.

By Brenda

December 13, 2007 4:25 AM | Link to this

What does preseason ranking mean? NOTHING!! UGA MUTTS GOES FROM CONTENDERS TO PRETENDERS IN 08!!

By heeldawg

December 13, 2007 5:13 AM | Link to this

Seems to me that this is a point of discussion that should be reserved for after the Sugar Bowl. We have a game to win against a very good, very confident, unbeaten Hawai’i team.

Interesting point: Adam van Brimmer’s #2 vote for Georgia for next year may be a makeup call, since he voted us 10th in the final BCS poll (lowest of ANY voter in the country) only to have that information made public. That action was sort of like, uh, that old adage about “don’t crap where you live.” Van Brimmer’s BCS vote left one in his own back yard. And then he stepped in it.

Finally, as long as we are in the preseason top 10—I don’t care where—our schedule should take care of the final ranking if we take care of business on the field. We’re better on paper than any team on the schedule except Florida; THAT game is a tossup from a talent standpoint. The Gators do have a blue-chip running back coming (the Dawgs will have four, although at least one will be redshirted), but the real deciding factor will be the Gators’ defense. Georgia’s offense, like Florida’s, will be better than this year’s, as will the defenses for both schools. It was the defense (or the lack thereof) that lost this year’s game for the Gators, not Tebow’s injury. Give up 42 points in the SEC and you will lose most games no matter who you are. The Georgia-Florida game next year will likely be for both the SEC East (and overall SEC) title and a berth in the national champonship game.

By Johnny Danger Dawg

December 13, 2007 6:25 AM | Link to this

EmmettDawg —- Excellent point about UGA and Hawaii competing for the longest active winning streak. Makes that game more exciting. Regarding the preseason mags, they will question the Dawgs’ O-line, which loses 2 seniors. Who will be our new center? Yes, this year’s young guys will be bigger and better, but we’ll have to find two new starters.

By Top Dawg

December 13, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this

Screw the polls; let’s have a playoff!!!!!!!!!

By Top Dawg

December 13, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this

Who is Adam Van Brimmer?

By RAD

December 13, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this

Under achieve…That what we did this year??
George you really know nothing about football. Brenda - go make me a sandwich.

By Dave In Tampa

December 13, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this

Pre-season Polls mean absolutely nothing. Take this year for instance. You could put Tech at #1 in the Pre-season. It just won’t hold.

Polls are worthless until your half way through the season. At saying that, The Dawgs will be strong next year if they can survive a tough schedule. Go Dawgs!

By D. Ellis

December 13, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this

All of this is for nothing if we don’t beat Hawaii-How about telling us some stuff about the Undefeated team we are about to play in the Sugar Bowl/Or about June Jones matching up his NFL offense against Our D. How about the fact that they have 3….yes 3 1,000 yard receivers that will be on the field at THE SAME TIME when we play them…next year is for the off season…..next year is not hear yet. The Sugar Bowl and the biggest game of the year is 19 days away…and everyone is talking about next years preseason poll. Hawaii is going to be WAY TOUGHER than I think anyone is thinking about.

By Dramadawg82

December 13, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

Oh, yes, the pre-season college football beauty contest that kicks of the joke of the BCS. The same joke that kept Auburn from having a shot at a real championship because the pre-season darlings didn’t lose. The same joke that will undoubtedly crown USC the mythical NUMBER ONE before the first kickoff; then the rest of the “contenders” - I mean, mythical top 10 - must play the “you lose, I get to move up (unless I didn’t win my conference championship and I’m Georgia, not Oklahoma) - musical chairs throughout the farce of the BCS season. Dawgs ranked preseason #1? No, we’re not that PRETTY to the pollsters.

By gdawgfan

December 13, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

The pre-season poll is a big deal based on what happened this year. I strongly believe that the only thing that seperate Georgia and Florida is coaching. The winner of that game will play for a nation title. ESPN and all of these other networks love USC and Ohio State. they will be 1and 2 . Oklahoma will be 3, Florida 4 and Georgia 5.Georgia’s schedule is brutal but so is everyone elses except for ohio state and Usc, they play panties which will allow them to get through undefeated or with no more than 1 lose.W Virginia will be a strong 6 waiting on someone to slip. I think Ga needs to open the offense up a little with the talented receivers they have coming in. They will need to pass to set up the run because people will be looking to shut down Moreno and Calib King.

By listen

December 13, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this

Georgia is the #1 favorite to choke next year. Every year they have top 5 talent, great facilities, great media coverage, a huge fan base, and they go out and choke! UGA should no doubt be a top 5 team, but the whole nation knows they will blow another opportunity. Is there a team in the country who has had as much as UGA and accomplished less year in and year out? I hope UGA starts the season at #1 so that everyone can watch the dawg nation make fools of themselves talking about how great they are and then see those same dawgs gag when they lose to South Carolina or UT or Vandy or UK or whoever the lucky team is that UGA lays an egg against this time. UGA is a national pretender, not a contender!

By AltamahaDawg

December 13, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

Listen, that is interesting, perhaps they need to be more like your team huh?

By JB

December 13, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

I’d just as soon not be ranked #1. As long as we’re in the top 10, to start, who really cares. It aint how you start but how you finish.

I also don’t see LSU as top 5, as they are losing many of their best players.

HBTD!!!

By 3volpaul

December 13, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

Possibly top 5 before they meet the dreaded orangephilapottamus! Or Superior.

By Takin em' to the Pound

December 13, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Georgia certainly deserves the chance to be top 10 at the start of next season…loads of talent. But there is just no realistic way they will finish in the top 2 (Unless you believe 2 or 3 losses will get you there). Go take a look at the schedule…LSU, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina, GT, Arizona State….They will lose at least two of those games simply based on the ball bouncing the wrong way, injuries, etc. There are just not enough cupcakes to finish without 2 losses even though the talent is terrific.

By Tebow went 9-3

December 13, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

There is a lot of dumb in this blog.

By 82DAWG

December 13, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

Without doing a ton of research, which I don’t have time for given that I am closing a project and starting another, I would have to rank the preseason top six thusly:

1. Florida - Returning Heisman winner, great recruiting, many weapons and stars.

2. Oklahoma - Weaker league means more easy wins. But do not be mistaken, they are well coached with a ton of talent and they can definlitely win the big ones when they have to. Its the not so big ones that can trip them up.

3. LSU - Wealth of talent, well coached. Can Perrileax lead the team? My guess is yes.

4. Ohio State - They are a very good team, deep in talent and also well coached. Big 10 is not what it used to be. Typically OSU only has two or three pivotal games a year.

5. UGA - Extremely tough schedule could wear them out. However, as we know, they are well coached, still young and hungry and have exceptional talent at the skill positions and, now, the O-Line! Defense came together with emergence of young, quick linebackers.

6. USC - Not sold on their QBs. Still lots of talent and coaching plus big reputation. PAC 10 has gotten better lately and that will give them even more visibility.

By benadawg

December 13, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

When the report comes out on steroid use in baseball, i think the committee should turn its attention to an investigation of ESPN for tampering with the final poll. they clearly were kissing Les Miles’ a&& espn college football Gameday should be permanently barred from Athens.

By Football Fan

December 13, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I think UGA ia a lock for Top 10 in ‘08 if they take care of business in the Sugar Bowl. Two observations: For the guy wondering why UGA is playing Arizona St next year, take it from LSU, we would not be in the NCG without the win over Va Tech. “They” expect the SEC to beat up on each other, but taking care of business out of conference against one of the top teams helps in the final voting. Secondly, for those thinking LSU is losing too much, remember that they return a guys who started at least two games in every position except corner back. Those will be manned by guys who played in the nickel & dime package. Next year is a long time away, but like the rest of the big boys in the SEC, we will be ready……& we will still have the luckiest coach in the SEC - & never underestimate luck.

By paldawg

December 13, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

Doesn’t matter what they’re ranked. They play LSU away, and then Fl back to back, not to mention Auburn, Kentucky, and Tech afterwards - with no break.

They’ll be lucky if they end up 10-2, and will most likely be 9-3. In any the Dawg nation can forget any National Champiionship in the 2008 -09 season.

It’s not going to happen

By clay

December 13, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

I hope the Dawgs start out about number 5 in the poll. That way the target on their chest will not be so huge. That’s a good starting point and move up to number one by the end. No one wants to start at number 1. The Dawgs have a super tough schedule next year. They go to Arizona State. Also, they go to Baton Rouge to play LSU then have Florida in Jacksonville the very next wee. That is tough! Do it Dawgs! Beat them all! They can do it but must learn to be lucky. Lucky is in a team’s head, it’s called a champion mentality.

By Solja Boy

December 13, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

It is certainly time to start whining about next year. We will have to see how many key players are arrested over the summer, and since there will be no championship rings to sell on Ebay, some players will be looking other places for dope money and alcohol. One thing for certain—Florida and Tebow will be waiting to teach the dirty dogs a lesson in sportsmanship. In the interim, Richt needs to have special classes in reading one way street signs.

By GADAWG47

December 13, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

If we win big vs Hawaii, I think we should start next season in the top 3. Of course you will have Kirk and Lee pulling for Notre Dame, USC, and Ohio State.

Gooo Dawgs…Sic EM!!!!!!!

By Eddie

December 13, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Very possible! Go Dawgs! Question: Who is the only SEC team in history to win two major bowl games in the same season ? That is the only team in the nation to do it ? Who was the coach, who was the opposition, what were the scores, and who were the opposing coaches, and what was the year ?

By sgadawg89

December 13, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

pre-season means nothing. top 5 means nothing. if we had taken care of business on the field we would be #1 and in the title game by earning it, not because of a popularity contest. remember, everbody who was ranked ahead of us before the tenn. game lost.

By KB

December 13, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

It only matters if we’re number one at the END of the season.

By Gen Neyland

December 13, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Insofar as polls being beauty contests, especially the 52 or 63 preseason polls, true. It’s nice to see your team respected and voted near or at the top by years end, but early don’t mean a thing…It gets to the ” They don’t deserve it but we do ” state-of-mind…3 Card Monty, anyone..?

By chuck

December 13, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

I think we should be top 5, personally i hate the fact that teams are ranked before there first game. There’s too many variable’s, injuries, academics and so forth. I feel the Dawgs are as good as anyone else going into next year. I don’t recall ever seeing a more brutal 6 game stretch in a schedule before next year, so if we end up at the end of the year as a top 5 team we would have definitely earned it. I think were good enough to run the table next year, but i honestly see us going 10-2……i feel between the Alabama game in September until the Auburn game in Nov that were going to drop 1 or 2. The Sec is just to competitive, and down right good. It would be amazing to win 7 straight sec games in a row. WOOF WOOF.

By Exley DAWG

December 13, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

2 points:

Stop whining about our schedule. I love that we are going west next year and getting exposure. If we win I hope it will add some west coast recruits in 2 or 3 years. I respect LSU for playing the toughest schedule in the nation in ‘07 and they made it to the dance.

Everybody that keeps saying we should be focused on the Sugar Bowl and stop talking about next year needs to shutup. To talk about Hawaii for 4 straight weeks would get old. Besides we dont play and I haven’t seen any players on this blog lately.

By Larry

December 13, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

If the Dawgs don’t beat Hawaii in a big way, they will not break into the top five. A big, solid win over the Warriors will put them in the top three; if they lose in the Sugar Bowl, they’ll be ranked from 11-15.

By shane #1

December 13, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

this from the”evil genius”,”a coach can’t think about the national championship during the season.that is a waste of time because so much involved in a nc is out of a coaches hands.concentrate on winning the conference,then let the chips fall where they may.”lets try to win the sec and not worry about the polls.if this year taught us anything it’s that we must win the sec to have a shot at the MNC.win the sec and we are champions,no matter who wins the beauty contest.

By dawgs11

December 13, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

The best teams for next year are my beloved Ga Bulldogs, Florida, and USC. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be ranked 1 or 2. We play in the toughest conference and have a tough outer conference schedule next year.

By mobadthangood

December 13, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Well, if the BCS is still in charge I guess Georgia should ranked 6th and they could jump over the rest of them when its time to play the National championship game like they did for LSU.

By John

December 13, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Hey Guys, lets not get the cart before the horse…if the Bulldawgs play the Sugar with less than a stellar effort, win or lose, they will not get respect. They need a completely dominating win to make any progress in the direction of number 1.

By michaelgee

December 13, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Can UGA beat Bobby MEtrino’s hogs when they eventually meet?

I pray that the SEC teams will run the score up on MEtrino in 2008. MEtrino is EVERYTHING NOT SEC.

By baloney

December 13, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

They could enter as #1 if all players are healthy and stay out of jail. If any of that stuff happens they will be #2, #2 complete with the corn and peanuts and the smell.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 13, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Larry, that’s about right.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 13, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

michaelgee, you better bet Tubervile will if given the chance.

By DawginLex

December 13, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

I could give two hoots about next year’s preseason poll. I want UGA to beat the ever loving crap out of Hawaii. Have you people listened to the comments coming from Brennan ? That cocky joker needs about 9 good sacks from Marcus Howard and Co. on New Year’s Day.

June Jones needs his lip permanently zipped too.

UGA 56 Hawaii 14

I’d also vote for kicking a late FG to run up the score and for couto’s last game.

By F Russo

December 13, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

HOW WELL WE DO IN THE POLLS WILL BE DECIDED BY HOW WELL M/R DOES WITH GETTING THE BOYS READY FOR THE FIRST FEW GAMES. M/R SEEM TO HAVE A HISTORY OF NOT BEING READY TO PLAY EARLY IN THE SEASON. IF WE LOOK AT IT HONESTLY YOU WILL SEE THAT THE FU, USC, LSU AND OTHER BIG TIME PROGRAMS ARE ALWAYS READY TO START THE SEASON. BUT MOST OF ALL THEY ARE ALWAYS READY FOR THE LESSER PROGRAMS AND WIN CONVINCINGLY.WHILE WE MUST WIN IN THE LAST QUARTER.

By Atlanta Gator

December 13, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Fort Worth Dawg——You are correct, sir: WR Percy Harvin’s health issues were not directly injury-related. Harvin had migraine headaches that were severe enough to keep him out of two games. I have not heard any substantial explanation for the likely cause of the migraines (i.e. whether they were completely unrelated to his play, or whether they were a collateral symptom of some other physical injury).

In all events, Harvin is a remarkable talent and has been a model citizen since joining the Gators. Urban Meyer has had a good record of turning discipline cases around by administering some tough love, and Harvin’s former high school discipline problems have not manifested themselves in Gainesville.

I only hope that Harvin’s migraines are a passing condition, and not something that will further reduce his playing time. He is every bit the over-sized athletic talent as QB Tim Tebow is. In fact, Harvin was the leading receiver (781 yards), AND the second leading rusher on the team this year (599 yards) after Tebow (838 yards). If Harvin plays 12 games next year, I expect the Gators to have TWO legitimate Heisman candidates in 2008. I also expect both Harvin and Tebow’s rushing yardage to go down next year, with the arrival of transfer Emmanuel Moody from Southern Cal. Tebow and Harvin will still get plenty of carries in ‘08, but they won’t be two-thirds of the Gators rushing attack anymore.

By baloney

December 13, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

I have nothing better to do than troll every UGA blog year ‘round. I wish I had a life. Man, I suck.

By Atlanta Gator

December 13, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

shane#1——is that the “evil genius,” the “evil master of the obvious?” LOL

By Phildawg

December 13, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

I love it when people like “Jason”(who’s obviously a UF fan) post on here about how the dawgs are always overrated. Speaking of overrated, your QB’s stats are overrated, because it doesn’t matter how many touchdowns you score if you still can’t beat your biggest rivals(UGA, LSU, and Auburn). Also, if we want to get into the arguement of who is going to have the most returning starters UGA is right there near the top. On offense we will bring back 8 starters(losing Chester Adams, Fernando Velasco, and Sean Bailey). On defense we bring back 9 starters(losing Marcus Howard, and Kelin Johnson). Get ready to see UGA dominate for the next two years with Stafford, Moreno, Southerland, C. Davis, C Boling, T Sturdivant, B. Jones, V. Vance, Mo Mass, AJ Green on offense, and R. Battle, J. Owens, G Atkins, J. Wynn, R. Curran, D. Ellerbe, A. Dent, A. Allen, P. Miller, CJ Byrd, R. Jones on defense with more depth behind that then you can imagine. It’s gonna be scary folks how good the dawgs will be with all the talent that they have returning with a lot of experience too.

By Alvin McMath

December 13, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

thank u TruDawg. as for the espn bashing, was i hallucinating when herb called the dawgs one of the hottest teams in the nation (along w/ usc & ok), & state that we shoukd have been in the rose bowl?

By dawgman

December 13, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Okay Fl lovers, before you put Tebag and the Gang ahead of UGA. Do a little strength of schedule comparison for UGA and Fl!! Fl plays 5 flukes to our 2.

By Bobby Wallace

December 13, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

As much as I hate to say it, I believe FLA will be preseason #1. We should have a top 5 ranking nevertheless but as we have seen almost every year, preseason polls dont mean a whole lot. GO DAWGS!

By Atlanta Gator

December 13, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

billinatl——Sorry, but I nearly missed your comment above because it was addressed to “ATL Gator.” FYI, ATL Gator and atlgator are other Gator guys who have recently started posting under those similar handles. I appreciate their enthusiasm for the Gators even if they are infringing on my tradename, “Atlanta Gator” (TM). Nevertheless, like Coca-Cola, my Dawg friend, I am the “real thing.” : ]

As for Emmanuel Moody, the Gators’ “system,” the role of its tailbacks, etc., you may be right, and I may just be an overly optimistic Gator alumnus and fan, but I feel a lot better knowing that Tebow and Harvin will not have to run as much as they did this year.

There is no reason why Urban Meyer should be using his QB as a battering ram against the likes of Kentucky next season; that should be Moody’s job, not Tebow’s. Even when you are a 235-pound monster of Tebow’s rare talents, you can’t consistently have 20-25 carries per game in the SEC without getting banged up. Here’s hoping that Meyer saves Timmy’s “special talents” for next season’s games when it may make the difference in the outcome, like the 2008 Cocktail Party.

By baloney

December 13, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

I have nothing better to do than peruse over blogs each day and reply using someone elses name.Man you really do suck.

By crs

December 13, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

The schedule is BRUTAL!!!!!! Don’t get carried away with this preseason bs, CHIP will be the first one when UGA loses saying they didn’t meet expectations. Expectations, given the schedule should be 9-3, a top 10 finish and challenging for the SEC, no more.

By big fabric softena'

December 13, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Anybody see the jugs on T-Bones beaver, I’d put her jugs 1st and 2nd followed by all u stupid f*** who care so much, jocksniffers

By mark

December 13, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

No way. Way to much media biased towards OSU, OK, USC, FLa. Why LSU?? Aren’t they losing alot this year?? For some reason UGA gets very little love. Preseason rankings are pointless!! Use the BCS rankings in week 8 and that’s it. With that schedule next year we have the opportunity to really make some noise!! I’ve lost all faith in college football to get it right so i”m not crossing my fingers.

By BullDawg Rick

December 13, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

UGA will be Top 5…

With the schedule we have if we TCOB, we’ll be in the Natty…

By scott young

December 13, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

all of you are homos

By Mekvertikleiben

December 13, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

First off this is a really STUPID question!!! To much depends on the outcome of this season, what a number of high profile Juniors will do relative to the NFL draft and so on.

I don’t care where we are preseason. All I care about is beating Hawaii. If you’re looking to hype of the fan base, you might want to discuss the buzz around Stafford vs. Brennan, or with a monster performance does KM place himself as an early Heisman candidate.

By ssidawg

December 13, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

What are you guys smoking now? Were you not the same guys that wanted to fire all of the coaching staff after the TN game? A fumble away from three losses and now want to be rated #1 next year? Get real! Win the SEC East, SEC Champ and the rest will take care of itself. What a joke!

By Ben

December 13, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

While it certainly matters where UGA is ranked in the preseason, I’m more concerned where they are ranked in the second week of January ‘09. UGA has a brutal stretch of games, but I think they are a strong enough and mature enough team to at least not let Knoxville 07 happen again.

Go Dawgs!

By Russ

December 13, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

At the end of the ‘08 season it will be Georgia and Florida at #1 & #2…they will play a second time for all the marbles!!!

By George

December 13, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

my favorite line of many from the IDIOTIC DAWG NATION. “we are a year away” Funny thing is you idiots have been saying that since 1980 and will continue to say it for years and years to come.

By Keith

December 13, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

If Mark Richt keeps coaching like he has the last 7 games then we will defitenly win the national championship in 2008. But on the other hand we cannot have a let down week like we have had in the past under Richt. (examples; S.C. and TENN.) this year, which neither of these teams are near to being any good at all. I hate their coaches guts.

By Engineer-Dawg

December 13, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

First of all, We need to beat Hawaii.

Then…. We should want all teams on our schedule to be ranked as high as possible We are better off with Florida and LSU ranked ahead of us since we play them, b/c that will help us jump an unbeaten USC, Oklahoma, or Ohio State. We want all teams not on our schedule to be ranked below us. It is that simple! Our ranking relative to Florida and LSU is irrelevant since we play them. Had we played LSU this year and beaten them, we would be in the BCS Championship.

Best rankings for us would be:

1. LSU
2. Florida
3. Georgia
4. Who Cares
5. Who Cares

The only way we get screwed is if 2 teams not on our schedule are ranked ahead of us and they stay unbeaten.

With our schedule next year, we could begin the season ranked #100 and if we go unbeaten, we will be at the top.

By Gen Neyland

December 13, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Scott Young, meet Keith…Keith, Scott…

By curtenz

December 13, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

I agree with CJ2 and his comments about the 22 Herschels, but remember what counts is where they are at the end, and with the schedule, its tuff, not likely to be 12-0, but they will be good!

By mr. b

December 13, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

what a sad day it will be in my life the day i search other team’s blogs on a consistent basis and write such bs as George. Poor little guy. Cheer up feller, it’s the holidays! (u must be sour about whatever crappy bowl your team is playing)

By baloney

December 13, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or do other people think that UGA fans are silly? Yhey string a few wins together and they think they are world beaters. News flash……….you didn’t beat anybody after the Tenn. game with the POSSIBLE exception of Florida.And that was when the had a broken down QB.

By ATLDawg272

December 13, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

LSU will not be top 10 next year folks. Even the LSU fans know that they will be slightly above average at best next season. The preseason polls will be exactly as follows: (1) USC (2) Georgia (3) Oklahoma (4) Florida (5) Ohio State

Note: Ohio State and USC play each other next year - so they both can’t go undxefeated.

Georgia will be a media darling next year; you can already see it starting to develop among projected preseason polls. I just hope we live up to it.

By charles

December 13, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Has anyone heard the rumor that Knowshon is ineligible for the bowl game? And if so is it true? It’s his grades from what I’m hearing.

By Chris Bolton

December 13, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I guess when you’ve been playing football for 125 years and only have one lousy national championship to show for it, you get excited about beingPRE-SEASON Number 1. Of course the average idiot dawgie fan is too ignorant to realize that the pre-season # 1 invariably get knocked off early. So yeah: Go Dawgs! Gloat over your pre-season rating. That’ll be the closest you rednecks ever come to a national championship again.

By Daniel Daniels

December 13, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Hey, dawg fans. I have an idea for a new Richt gimmick for the Sugar Bowl. Instead of the lame-o blackout, try a REDOUT. This one should be easy. All dawg fans just turn around and loosen your collars.

By #1 Dawg Fan of All

December 13, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Ain’t nobody going to be better than us next year. next year the athorotys won’t be able to rip us off like they do evry year. Dawgs rule!!

By david shepard

December 13, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

AFP WILL CROWN SUGAR BOWL WINNER NATIONAL CHAMPION

Mt. Juliet, TN-The Annual Football Predictions organization has chosen to crown the winner of the Sugar Bowl to be their 30th national college football champion. Assistant commissioner, David Shepard, stated,” A football team can only beat the teams on its schedule. That’s exactly what the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors did. They ran the table and went a clean 12-0 in the regular season. Now they will be playing for the AFP National Championship. The Georgia Bulldogs, who were ranked number four on the final day of the season, did not play that day and did nothing to hurt their status. LSU, on the other hand, squeaked by Tennessee and jumped ahead of Georgia. Georgia deserved to keep its spot If LSU was the right choice for the championship game, they should have been ranked ahead of Georgia going into play on Dec. 1.”

By Tebow for President

December 13, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Hey, dawg fans. I couldn’t help but laugh the other day when I heard some dawg fan refer to this as a “dawg nation.” I hate to burst your bubble, but your so-called nation extends about as far as Moultrie, Georgia. Most likely, people in Oregon can’t distinguish between UGA and Morehouse University. And incidentally, I’d be embarrassed to consider us your greatest rival. 3 out of 18 victories? Ah well, I guess maybe Vandy fans think UT is a big rival.

By Gary Glitter

December 13, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Is South carolina on your schedule for next season dawg nation?

Yep —that’s what I thought. Shush up about being #1 because the evil genius will assure your bulldogs at least one loss next year.

By bamafan

December 13, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

maybe georgia should try to win the sec or at least the eastern division.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 13, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

gary, yep nice finish to the season for you guys. SOS should start focusing right now on Vandy. Maybe try and keep UF under half a hundred next year. Nice finish with the 5 straight.

bamafan, maybe you guys should start focusing on LoMo right now, or maybe Miss State. You guys should have declined your bowl, now you might have a losing record. Nice finish BTW 4 straight.

By reservoirDawg(formally noyellowinthisblood)

December 13, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Georgia will win their division in 08. That something Bama hasn’t done since when?

By bamafan

December 13, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

i believe bama has a better record against florida than georgia and i know we have a winning record against the daaaaagws. no excuse for the finish but we did beat the brakes off of your eatern div champs.

By reservoirDawg(formally noyellowinthisblood)

December 13, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

zoo What’s the word in your neck of the woods on the UM job?

By RJ

December 13, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

I may be a biased GT fan, but I doubt UGA starts the season in the top 5. There’s no way the pollsters rank you ahead of Florida, USC, Oklahoma, LSU and Ohio State. You could be #6 though.

That being said, noone should give a damn where they are ranked at the beginning of the season. It’s completely meaningless especially considering what happened this year.

By reservoirDawg(formally noyellowinthisblood)

December 13, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

RJ, unfortunetly you are probably right. There should not be a poll until the fifth week at the earliest.

By Paul D

December 13, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Top Three for Georgia. With Florida (but the defense?) and Ohio State (who has nearly everyone returning).

Southern Cal loses Booty this year and Sanchez didn’t knock anyone out. SC is top five every year until proven otherwise.

LSU loses Dorsey, right? Keeps Miles, yes?

OU has a lot coming back as well. I should revise and say UGA will be top 4 at worst.

I’d have it: Oklahoma, Ohio State, Georgia, Florida, Southern Cal.

By gdawginkalamazoo

December 13, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

resDawg, nothing, absolutely nothing. The joke is Booby Petrino was seen at the Ann Arbor Lowe’s store buying stuff for his new house. Miles is still the front runner. I didn’t analyze his statements to check the wording. Maybe he will come out after the NC game and say “Yes I lied, you guys knew I was lying, I have the clause in my contract that this is my dream job, I did coach LSU in 2008 (1 game) and no I didn’t coach Michigan in 2007. Why else would I sign a new deal with LSU and leave the UM clause in there?” I don’t know why Miles wouldn’t go other than the chance to beat Ohio State and take the NC trophy. He hates OSU like most wolverines. That’s my speculation. I also think LSU’s upper level is in on it. That NC is very important for both. LSU figures they won’t have a problem finding a quality coach.

By DAWGFANJM

December 13, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget that UGA was a very young team at the beginning of the season, freshman offensive linemen,running backs injured etc… But I’m not making excuses if we would have beat SC and Tenn. then we could GRIPE.

WATCH OUT NEXT YEAR!!!!!! GO DAWGS :)

By Tommy Bow Wow Den

December 13, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

You dumb dawg fans need not to worry about next year. Your tough schedule will be your waterloo. Clemson will win the ACC next year and the NC with our own Tebow, Mr Willy Korn - Tha MAN! So watch us win it all next year and also watch us show you how to really STOMP Auburn in the Chicken Filet Bowl! GO CLEMSON TIGERS!!!

By reservoirDawg(formally noyellowinthisblood)

December 13, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

I think Miles does have something up his sleeve.

By reservoirDawg(formally noyellowinthisblood)

December 13, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

Tommybowwowden, get your head out of your a$$.

By Ookie

December 13, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Stupid mutts. This isn’t some gay Souja Boy dance of. I should put you out of your misery like I did my losing fighting dogs. Gators will be number one followed by USC.

By Georgia 42 Tebow 30

December 13, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Tebow for President, please enjoy this poignant piece by the Associated Press immediately following the Dawgs’ smackdown of the paper Gators in Jacksonville:

Tebow fought back tears during his postgame news conference.

“It hurts a lot,” said Tebow, who was 14-of-22 passing for 236 yards and a touchdown. “We were in control of getting to Atlanta. We were focused, we thought we would bounce back from the two losses and we were playing well. We thought that was a game we should have won. Any time you lose to a rival it’s tough.”

Go Tebows!!!! Chomp!! Chomp!! Chomp!!!

By NEWS FLASH

December 13, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

THE DROUGHT HAS OFFICIALLY ENDED. THE STATE OF GEORGIA IS NOW UTILIZING ALL THE TEARS OF THE BULLDOG NATION FOR A WATER SUPPLY. C’MON, CRY ME A RIVER BOYS……

WE DON’T GET ANY RESPECT…. ROTFLMAO (BTW - YOU GOTTA EARN IT)

THE TEAMS FROM THE NORTH GET ALL THE HYPE (GIVE ME A BREAK)

LOOK AT YOUR POSTS YOU HYPOCRITCAL, PROFILING, PIECES OF WORK. NO WONDER THE WORLD LOOKS AT YOU AND LAUGHS.

WANT A LITTLE CHEESE TO GO WITH THE WHINE????

WHERE ARE ALL THE “WE’RE FROM THE SEC SO WE DESERVE TO BE RATED AT LEAST TWO POSITIONS HIGHER THAN WE REALLY SHOULD BE” POSTS??

THE DOGS WILL BE OVER RATED, AS USUAL, AT NUMBER 6 AND WILL END UP NUMBER 20 AFTER FALLING OUT OF THE POLLS FOR TWO WEEKS STRAIGHT MID-SEASON. THINK NOTRE DAME 2007 BUT SLIGHTLY BETTER…..

By Jumbo

December 13, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

My top 5 for ‘08:

SCal FL Okla UGA Ohio St

I am a huge Bayou Bengals fan and a season ticket holder. LSU is losing 7 starters on D and 2 others may jump to the NFL. They have practically the entire offense back except for Flynn and Doucet. Perrilloux is much more talented than Flynn and they are loaded with outstanding skilled players. That said I will be surprised if we are better than 9-3. I don’t think anyone in the SEC West will be as good as the Gators or Dawgs next year.

By Fan Belts

December 13, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Sure we can be # 1 but rather be a little lower. No where to go but down when you on top. Certainly in the top 5. Bottom line is we will beat Tech once again and that’s great.

By Ole Dawg

December 13, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Hey War Eagle, got a question for you. Can’t remember which game it was after but there was an article in the Mobile Press Register about Al Borges, Tuberville, and the stagnant AU offense.

If memory serves me correctly Borges said basically he was handcuffed with his play calling by Tuberville. I believe the quote was that we “play not to lose, I would like to be more aggessive but that’s not our style” or something similar to that. I listen to the talk radio sports shows almost daily on WNSP and it bothers me a little to hear everyone talk about how ineffective Borges had become.

It seems like Tuberville has a history of letting his Assistants take the fall for his decision making. Any thoughts on that?

By Jerry

December 13, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

If UGA is #4, please call Boone br549

By Gamecock Welcome Committee

December 13, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

We are pleased to announce Brian Van G is now a Gamecock!!!!!!!!

By Rick R

December 13, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

UGA #1? Huh? Your schedule next year is murder.

Also, I’d stop being so overconfident about Hawaii. They have a pretty decent team.

Prediction: OSU will upset LSU in a close one. USC will beat Illinois, but won’t cover the spread. This is not the same Trojan team as the last two years. UGA beats Hawaii, but does not cover.

By Myah Schlontoolong

December 13, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

UGA ranked number 1 when UT visits Athens. Drops to number 8 on Sunday. UT 52, Dwags 24…..

By Matthew

December 13, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

There can be only one ranking for Georgia next year, and it is #1.

They won’t go undefeated, but the Dawgs will be playing for the national title and I sure as hell hope we beat LSU by 50 in Baton Rouge.

By War Eagle

December 13, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

UGA will not be rank #1 if they embarrass Hawaii. There will be several teams, Oklahoma, Florida, USC, LSU and West Va. above Dawgs. UGA schedule is in their favor with wins over GA Southern, Central Michigan,and Arizona State. It will be tough at South Carolina, easy win with Bama, but Tenn., Vandy, Florida, LSU and Auburn will decide their national ranking. Auburn again has a tough schedule.. AT West Va. at Miss State, LSU, Tenn and at Vandy. first five games. Hopefully we can get a game before West Va.

By dawgfan

December 13, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

I really doubt if Georgia is going to be even in the top 25, let alone the top 5 in the nation. I heard that Mark Richt is planning to leave UGA and goto Tech after this season…

By shane #1

December 13, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

atlanta gator,belaboring the obvious is priority number one around here.we also are good at banal generalities and sophmoric insults.remember,anyone with an iq of seventy or better does not waste their time on football blogs.so,where does that leave you and i?do you think we should do something productive?maybe i will give up on being retired and go back to work.nah,i think i will go to the tech blog and make fun of their new coach.i’ll call them nerds!man,that will be funny!

By Miles Turner

December 13, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

**To the Guy who thinks there will be a big drop-off at LSU:

(1) The 17 freshmen redshirts were considered better rated players out of high school than the ones leaving, when signed.

(2) More of the latter classes, besides being rated as high or higher, have been retained (Grades, etc.)

(3) The last 2 classes performed on the field in practice better than advertised—-by a greater margin than the prior 2 classes.

(4) Coaching visitors to our Spring Training were amazed at the size, speed, and strength of the players not yet playing, and the young players already playing.

(5) Perilloux, should he remain straight, is a far better athlete than Matt Flynn. He is potentially a “Vince Young” type of player. He can throw, and on the run!

(6) We will have a new defensive cooridinator, who hopfully will be highly touted, and have his mind on the job.

(7) We are cherry picking a few 5-star Junior college-Prep School players, to fill a few needs at depth.

(8)The offensive system of Gary crowder will be learned—-and opened up more by next year.

(9) A tradition of staying for your senior year established by Dorsey, will cause more players to return. Last year, we had an All American safety who tripled his income by staying for his senior year. People take notice!

(10) The team “reloads” and expects to win. Confidence is immeasurable.

Oh well, we will see you next year!**

         Miles

By War Eagle

December 13, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Ole Dawg, Al Borgas is gone as OC…resign after a 20 minute meeting with CTT. Auburn was #1 2004. #2 2005 in total offense was #9,2006, #10, 2007,in SEC. CTT hired Tony Franklin, Troy State OC, who wrote a book on the SPREAD OFFENSE and is run by several schools today.We have QB to run it and another in the future(Furr, Carver, Columbus QB) The dawgs got a taste of Coach Franklin this year with a narrow win over Troy.Auburn will have ENTIRE different look on offense next year with 73 of 85 roster players(9 off.-8 def) retutning. I have no idea of Coach Borgas future.

By Bill Ga. Grad

December 13, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Georgia must do 3 things to have a chance to be #1 preseason, 1. Eliminate Western Carolina and its clones, 2. Eliminate Michael Adams, yesterday would have been nice, 3. Eliminate unsportsmanlike penalties that alienate fans, players, coaches, and media.

By DOGGIE

December 13, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

TURDBOW FOR PRESIDENT Another Gator that wants to make out with their quarterback! You’r 2 and 2 in the last 4 and should be 1 and 3. Gators no longer dominate the Doggies - get over yourself. Pre-season top 10 is all we need if we manage to go undefeated. GO DOGGIES!

By Obnoxious Georgia Fan

December 13, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Bill Ga. Grad, the only people who have been alienated is sniveling whiny haters like yourself. Awwwwwww, did Georgia hurt your itty bitty feelings some excessive celebrations? Maybe you should try figure skating pal. College football isn’t for the faint of heart, especially when the team you hate is 10-2 with a young team and destined for greatness. Poor hater.

By Ole Dawg

December 13, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Thanks War Eagle, always interested in AU, married to one. She’s not crazy about CTT anyway, then his posturing about the Coaching job, at least in public. Although I can’t really blame him after jetgate.

It just didn’t sit well with me to tie Borges hands during the season then turn around and hold him accountable for the unimaginative offense. A little hypocritical IMO. He didn’t have the horses under him he had during the previous few years, that he is accountable for however.

Franklin was a good hire and will give AU a much different look than we’re used to.

Good luck with WV, I lost respect for Rich Rodriguez with his speech after the Pitt game. He never gave them any credit whatsoever. It was all about how terrible his team played.

By bgf00

December 13, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Um, maybe y’all should quit worrying about the preseason and start thinking about Hawaii. Oh, and if you didn’t get STOMPED by the Vols this season, you wouldn’t be thinking about next year. For future reference, the easiest way to be #1 is win all your games, so that’s a good place to start.

By A-ville Ranger

December 13, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

The top five in alphabetical order will be Florida,Georgia,Ohio St,Oklahoma and USC.Anybody who thinks LSU will be must not know over half their defensive starters along with their DC will have to be replaced.The five I have, all return most of their starters and they’re already top teams.I think we’ll likely be either third or fourth.

By ES

December 13, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Guys that keep talking about how good Fl going to be they have a bad defense.Its not going to get alot better in a year.I SAID A BAD DEFENSE.Dawg Fans get off the Fl wagon!

By FLA DAWG

December 13, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

If the Dawgs take a strong win out of the Sugar then they will be in the top 5 preseason.

I don’t give an damn what Florida does in their bowl, they will not get a top 5 preseason ranking - regardless of how starry eye’d you are about Tebow Chip!

No way in he11 the BCS gives LSU, UGA and UF a top 5 ranking - think about it!

By david

December 13, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

oh bgf00, we’ll get working on that undefeated season, but in the meantime, college football still has to name a #1 and I don’t see any other legitimate schools that are undefeated. For future reference, insulting a team by saying it didn’t go undefeated is quite a complement. Good luck next season.

By poi dog

December 13, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Hawaii will win the Sugar Bowl. ‘ya all know Hawaii’s quaterback was 3rd in the Heisman voting. What GA fans have not seen or felt is a hit by a Samoan lineman…you will…

By baloney

December 14, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

Ha! I’m still laughing at that great comeback to myself about perusing blogs pretending to be myself and having no life. However, it still does not explain the fact that I have no life, root for no team and blog negatively multiple times a day on every UGA sports blog. By the way, is it just me or are UGA fans the only ones who are delusional enough to root for their team? Certainly, they are the only ones who get excited when their team wins 6 in a row and go to a BCS bowl during a rebuilding year. How dare they get excited about their football team. Good thing I am here to keep them in check. Christ! Do I hear myself. I need help. I am such a loser!!! Don’t worry folks. I’ll be sure to prove myself wrong by posting again several times tomorrow. Maybe I will get a rise out of someone other than myself then.

By eatmorespam

December 14, 2007 2:07 AM | Link to this

Yeah brah, are we gonna get hit by the fat-a$$ Samoan lineman after June inexplicably benches all the starting linemen from Cali?

By Gabriel

December 14, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

No doubt that Georgia should be ranked among the top five next season.

My top five preseason, in order, would be: 1. USC 2. Oklahoma 3. Georgia 4. Florida 5. Ohio State

By sanjeep

December 14, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

You guys are idiots. Look, I love Georgia football and make it to a few games a year. Although they aren’t MY team to root for, I still like to see you guys win. The problm is that every time the wind blows Athen’s way, the AJC and all the other bandwagon fanatics (that probably couldn’t get into the University of Georgia on visitors day) start this BS about Georgia being the best team in the country. It’s quite annoying to someone who knows college football.

By UGAy

December 14, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

Suprise Suprise, UGA looking past another team…

By tcdawg

December 14, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

If we were playing almost anyone but Hawaii, the Dawgs would stand a much better chance to be one or two.

By GigaDawg

December 14, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Have you checked out schedule for next year? Not a walk in the park.

By mark

December 14, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Don’t think being ranked #1 at the beginning of the season matters???? Tell LSU that!!! This is their 3rd chance this season at a NC!!!!

By balogna

December 14, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

im the world’s largest dbag

By NeoCons are Clowns

December 14, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

After Hiwaii destroys you mutts, your dirty little secret will be revealed to the world: you a just a bunch of overhyped clowns, much like your governor.

By ck

December 14, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Dawgs biggest issue is can Stafford learn how to be a better qb. He must have the go to rec and not just moreno running the ball. I’m the biggest Dawgs fan in the state of Oklahoma but i fear next year may be a bad wake up call for the Dawgs.

Ay any rate If Stafford can make the adjustment then the Dawgs will have a chance… otherwise with that backbreaking schedule we may be looking at a 3-4 loss season… and drop out all together.

Ther is a fine line between the great teams and the good teams.

By Big D

December 14, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

DOESN’T MATTER WHERE YOU START BUT WHERE YOU FINISH!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH SAID, NO MORE DISCUSSION NEEDED!! NEXT TOPIC PLEASE!!!

By AlaDawg

December 14, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

Please stop looking ahead! We need to focus on making a strong statement to the nation against Hawaii!!!!!

By Jamie

December 14, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Yo Chip- why is it the lowly Tech blog is posted a new subject everyday? Do Mike and Matt work a “little harder” or what?

By athensdawg

December 14, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

who cares. that is next year…and it is preseason….i would say your performance on the field is all that matters but, these days, even that dosen’t matter - just ask the people from missouri about that one….

i hope cmr gets us all in shape so that we can look good during the swimsuit competition of the bcs beauty pagent.

all i am looking forward to is beating florida again….hope you enjoyed your little run boys…..cause its all fixing to change…and you know it…..

By A-ville Ranger

December 14, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

If Ohio St beats LSU for the title they’ll open at #1.If LSU wins I don’t think they’ll get the nod or even a top 5 because they lose most of their defense and their D-coordinator.Oklahoma,UF, UGA,Ohio St and USC will all likely make the cut in some order.

By Big Dawg

December 14, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

All this pre-season talk of #1, top 5 etc. doesn’t mean a thing other than to the media and some fans. The Dawgs still have a game against Hawaii to worry about and last I checked they were undefeated and are a pretty good offensive football team. Hopefully with all of the talk from Hawaii’s Coach Jones and several of his players the Dawgs will come ready to play and will take no prisoners. Go Dawgs

By Harold Smith

December 14, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Good LORD, you dawg fans have an exaggerated sense of your own worth. Do you realize how asinine you sound to people outside your state (and probably to a great deal within) when you express these delusions of grandeur about your team? Maybe if you can win more than one national championship (after 125 year of trying), and at least win your division, much less your conference, the nation’s perception of your team might come a little closer to your own. If you keep up this crap about how “we’re playin’ the best football in the nation now, by God,” then you will become NCAA’s national laughingstock. As it is now, you’re just the laughing stock of the South.

By Poi dog

December 14, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Hawaii will win the Sugar #2 UH avg over 40 points a game. UH coach a Bear Bryant finalist. UGA p** because missed for for #1 chance. Enjoy your number #4. After Sugar you will be lucky to be in top #15

By Mike

December 14, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Well all i got to say is this..

If You Dont Knowshon you dont know SH*T

can i get a AMEN ???

i said its great to be … A Georgia Bulldog

By mark

December 14, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

poidog- I did happen to notice that Brennan finished 3rd in the Heisman race. Did you happen to notice that your schedule was a joke (ranked 119) That’s almost last in all of D-1 football! Did you happen to notice that your opponents records are 52-81 with 10 of those wins going to Boise St. who also plays in that laughable conference?? Did you guys even play a team in the top 50 this year?? Gimme a $^#&*$ break!!!!! You wann be taken seriously by playing 2 teams with winning records???? One team only won 1 game all year!!!!!

By AshamedDawg

December 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Hey Harold, exactly how many non-UGA fans out of state are reading this blog? Thanks for the head’s up. I am so embarrassed. What was I thinking? Being fired up about my team after a big mid-season turnaround. Hell, I know better now. After all, I spend every waking moment worried about what others think about the fan base of my alma mater. Since I will no longer waste my time making positive speculations about my team on my team’s blog, I can do something more productive like actively seeking out online articles written by beat writers for other teams and make negative comments about their fan base. By the way, nice zinger about already being the laughing-stock of the south. That was pee in your pants funny. I am sure you are proud.

By BuLLdawg

December 15, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Richt was seen in airport in Michigan????

By Yawn

December 15, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Wow, so much energy expended on something that means absolutely nothing at all. It makes no difference where you’re ranked in the pre-season; it only matters where you’re ranked at the end… something that hasn’t even happened yet for THIS season. The last thing you should care about is where the Gators are ranked since you obviously have them dominated, as evidenced by your one-game winning streak.

By Talladega Nights

December 15, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Most important dates on the UGA Football calendar? April 26 & 27, 2008.

Why? That is the spring keg toatin’ party at Talladega. I am sure Stafford and Cox won’t want to miss out on their spooning. Question is, will they take others with them this year? Could be one big Dog pile this time.

http://deepsouthsports.blogspot.com/2007/05/talledega-days.html

By Hula boy

December 15, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

NO!

By Tdog

December 17, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

To many people out there that don’t want to give the Dawgs an upper hand. there are at least seven media darlings that will be ranked higher.All are from the West and North of the Mason Dixon line except for FLA, there are enough rich northerners in FLA that it is thought of as a northern state. Dawgs will be ranked #1 only if they go through the nations toughest schedule undefeated, u see we are not a BCS darling. I say let’s just win them all and rub it in there faces.

By JS

December 17, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Answer: NO.

By Orkin man

December 17, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Yes, it matters. No, we won’t be # 1, we will be top 5. And what were you training for, Chip? Dodge ball?

Pol dog, you are obviously a polesmoker.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

By Dear Harold Smith

December 17, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

We would have whipped LSU in the SEC game. We came out flat the first six games of our season and Richt fixed that. Big time. We’re in the BCS as an at large (how many other BCS conferences have that, hot rod? Uh - I count one (Illinois doesn’t count)) and we have national respect. So you can just kiss my a$$ as you blog from your mother’s basement while you also apply for your next pizza delivery job, campaign for Hillary and fix your bicycle so you can go on your first date at age 37. Moron.

By 3volpaul

December 18, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Stock up plenty of K Kreme glazed next fall. The big orange one loves them. Beat the Rainbows, badly Dawgs. Merry Christmas.

By brandon

December 18, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Whats new? The media has gay love for tebow and FL. Fl lost 3 games this year with a experienced o-line. Also fl is not in a bcs bowl this year. All of the media picked fl to win the sec this year. So the media is normally wrong.

By Alpha Dog

December 18, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Harold, some of the most well respected analysts would say UGA is playing solid football right now. You can’t take that away from the team. They are well coached and have major talent. Can you really provide a legitimate argument disputing this?

By Killer

December 18, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t care less about the polls. This year they have validated nothing and proved to be rediculous! They are a popularity contest created by a media that buffed the knob of Tebow all season. Mark my word OSU will provided the rear to mop the Superdome and maybe, just maybe, LSU’s rectal blockage will be cured when it passes the horse shoe.

By D Gelbart

December 19, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Jason did you even watch SEC football or college football?

The reason why I ask that is because nobody in America probably wants to play Georgia with the exception of the Hawaii Warriors.

Jason, Georgia is the hottest team in the nation right now. The ESPN reporters wanted LSU and OSU for a stupid unknown reason.

My preseason Right poll if UGA wins 1. UGA 2. UF (they might be #1 in real polls) 3. Oklahoma 4. Who really cares 5. Who really cares Actual preseason poll 1. UF 2. VT 3. LSU (I think they are overrated now though) 4. Oklahoma 5. UGA

By D Gelbart

December 19, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Jason did you even watch SEC football or college football?

The reason why I ask that is because nobody in America probably wants to play Georgia with the exception of the Hawaii Warriors.

Jason, Georgia is the hottest team in the nation right now. The ESPN reporters wanted LSU and OSU for a stupid unknown reason.

My preseason Right poll if UGA wins 1. UGA 2. UF (they might be #1 in real polls) 3. Oklahoma 4. Who really cares 5. Who really cares Actual preseason poll 1. UF 2. VT 3. LSU (I think they are overrated now though) 4. Oklahoma 5. UGA